Monday, August 9, 2010

Coming Attractions

Things are moving along steadily now with the pinstriped skirt. I've gotten past the boring straight sewing and am now into the mindless embellishment process.

I'm using the technique from BWOF's July issue. Remember that fluffy pink skirt I was in love with? It looked like ruffles or flowers or something embellishing the hem. Well, turns out it's nothing of the kind. BWOF being what they are, it's something completely other.

Try circles. Lots and lots of circles. Cut and folded and folded again and then stitched down. Think fabric fortune-cookie, without anything inside.

At last count, the 2 layers of trim on this skirt consist of 81 circles.

But you know what? I like it. It's idiot work, but I like it.

It's completely different than what I'd intended, but it still has the same feeling, and it's a lot more interesting than the original ruffle that I'd planned on more-or-less duplicating.

And since I have an abiding love of (and inability to successfully wear) ruffles, this has a girly sensibility without being all pink and fluffy about it. I like cute done in a traditionally non-cute fabric, to soften the blow, and I'm pretty sure there's no fabric less "cute" than lawyer's gray pinstripe.

While I was mulling over exactly how I wanted the trim to look, I decided that for all this work, this skirt needs to be part of a suit, and since I knew there would be limited fabric left, I went searching for a pattern that would take as little as possible. I came up with McCalls 5859, the short-sleeved version. I fell in love with Kisha's version last year. (Even with short sleeves, I'll still be cutting the inside peplums from lining fabric, not pinstripe, there just wasn't enough left. Might have had something to do with all those damn circles.)

I'm partway along on the jacket now, but nothing complete enough to show yet. If I decide to blow off book club tomorrow night, I might get something finished. Then again, it's supposed to be 94 tomorrow, which means it'll be 94 in the workroom as well. So maybe not.

BTW, will the Anonymous who left a comment on my last post please email me - you said you were in Belgium and I'm going there in October. I'd love to pick your brain for any fabric stores in Brussels/Bruges. Thanks!

11 comments:

SEWN said...

It's looking amazing! How's kitty doing?

Elaray said...

Would this be too much with you new kick-ass shoes?

Anonymous said...

Karen, I read your blog. I am a Pattern Review member and my sister spends a lot of time in Brussels because my brother in law works there. She is not a sewer but she shops and brings me many pattern magazines. I was not the annonymous comment person you would like I will talk to her. You can PM me at Pattern Review. My name is Mary W

Lisette M said...

I love the way it is looking! I saw that same treatment at Ann Taylor and really loved it.

meli88a said...

That trim looks amazing. I've seen similar on a JCrew shirt that my boss has -- it looks time consuming, but WOW. Just... Wow. And you're doing this at home...

Rose said...

Wow! I look forward to seeing that skirt and jacket. Yes, please give us an update on Alice.

Connie said...

Oh yummmmyy! I've got to take a closer look!

The Slapdash Sewist said...

I can't believe I personally know someone with the patience to do that embellishment method! Loved the look of the skirt in the magazine until I read how it was made. Then I stopped loving it. Your skirt is looking fantastic!

Deepika said...

Karen, that skirt and jacket is going to be lovely! And guess what? The new shoes will be perfect with this outfit. So in love with the embellishment! Are the circles pinked and left raw?

Gailavon said...

I truly love this effect.

sheila said...

As the commentator formerly known as "Anonymous", I've sent you an e-mail! :-)
Regards,
Sheila in Brussels
Sheels55 at PR